What is one mechanism that can inhibit hTERT activation?
Inhibition of deacetylation is one mechanism that can inhibit hTERT activation.
What happens to DNA during each round of replication in normal cells?
DNA shortens with each round of replication due to the loss of telomere (TTAGGG) sequences.
1/70
p.11
Mechanisms of Telomerase Activation

What is one mechanism that can inhibit hTERT activation?

Inhibition of deacetylation is one mechanism that can inhibit hTERT activation.

p.5
Telomeres and Telomerase

What happens to DNA during each round of replication in normal cells?

DNA shortens with each round of replication due to the loss of telomere (TTAGGG) sequences.

p.11
Mechanisms of Telomerase Activation

What role does hypermethylation play in hTERT activation?

Hypermethylation can inhibit the activation of hTERT.

p.2
Cell Senescence

What happens to normal cells after a healthy period of proliferation?

Normal cells become permanently growth arrested, a state known as replicative senescence.

p.5
Cell Senescence

What triggers replicative senescence in normal cells?

The critical loss of telomeres triggers replicative senescence.

p.10
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

Why is the hTERT promoter inactive in normal cells?

The promoter is inactive in normal cells due to epigenetic silencing mechanisms.

p.13
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

What is the effect of different mutations in the telomerase gene?

They lead to the activation of telomere immortalization.

p.14
Telomerase as a Therapeutic Target

What types of inhibitors have shown effectiveness against telomerase in laboratory settings?

A wide variety of small molecule telomerase inhibitors.

p.9
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

What is telomerase and what is its primary function?

Telomerase is a large ribonucleoprotein complex responsible for the progressive synthesis of telomeric DNA repeats (TTAGGG) at the 3′ ends of linear chromosomes.

p.2
Hayflick Limit

What is the Hayflick Limit?

The Hayflick Limit refers to the intrinsic limit on the number of replications of normal fibroblasts in culture, typically between 50 to 70 divisions.

p.6
Telomeres and Telomerase

In which types of cells is telomerase typically expressed?

Telomerase is expressed in germ cells and stem cells, such as those in the bone marrow and the mucosa of the small intestine.

p.8
Cell Senescence

Comment l'époptose est-elle impliquée dans les maladies ?

Des dysfonctionnements dans le processus d'époptose peuvent contribuer à des maladies comme le cancer, où les cellules échappent à la mort programmée.

p.9
Telomeres and Telomerase

How does telomerase function at the ends of chromosomes?

Telomerase acts as a kind of reverse transcriptase, adding TTAGGG to the ends of chromosomes to lengthen telomeres.

p.7
Telomeres and Telomerase

How is the activity of telomerase silenced in normal cells?

The activity of telomerase is silenced by methylation of the promoter, similar to how oncofetal proteins are switched off.

p.8
Cell Senescence

Quels sont les mécanismes de l'époptose ?

Les mécanismes de l'époptose incluent l'activation de caspases, la dégradation de l'ADN et des changements morphologiques dans la cellule.

p.2
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What can induce immortality in rodent fibroblasts?

Immortality in rodent fibroblasts can be induced by carcinogens.

p.4
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

Is transformation a single-step process?

No, transformation is a multi-step process.

p.2
Mechanisms of Telomerase Activation

What are some limitations of cell culture experiments?

Limitations include lack of growth factors and the absence of a proper microenvironment, which affects cell survival and division.

p.14
Telomerase as a Therapeutic Target

What is unique about the telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex?

It possesses a functional RNA component as well as a catalytic protein sub-unit.

p.9
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

In what percentage of human cancers is telomerase significantly expressed?

Telomerase is significantly expressed in approximately 90% of human cancers.

p.2
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What is the first step in making cells immortal?

The first step is the introduction of a carcinogen to make the cells immortal.

p.10
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

Which transcription factors stimulate hTERT transcription in hTERT-silenced cells?

Transcription factors such as c-Myc, SP1, ETS family members, NF-kB, AP-2, and HIF-1 stimulate hTERT transcription.

p.8
Cell Senescence

Qu'est-ce que l'époptose ?

L'époptose est un processus de mort cellulaire programmée qui joue un rôle crucial dans le développement et l'homéostasie des tissus.

p.2
Replicative Lifespan of Normal Cells

How do cancer cells differ from normal cells in terms of replication?

Cancer cells are usually immortal and can continue dividing indefinitely in culture.

p.5
Telomeres and Telomerase

What is the role of telomerase in stem cells?

Telomerase adds repetitive sequences to telomeres, lengthening them and allowing stem cells to become immortal.

p.4
Cell Senescence

How do human cells respond to immortalization and malignant transformation?

Human cells are exceptionally refractive to immortalization and malignant transformation.

p.1
Cell Senescence

What happens to cells during senescence?

During senescence, cells undergo changes that prevent them from dividing, which can contribute to aging and tissue dysfunction.

p.1
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

How does telomerase activity relate to cell division?

In normal cells, telomerase activity is low, leading to telomere shortening with each division, while in some cancer cells, telomerase is reactivated, allowing for unlimited division.

p.4
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What is a prerequisite for malignant transformation?

Immortalization is a prerequisite for malignant transformation.

p.5
Cell Senescence

Why do normal cells eventually undergo senescence?

Normal cells undergo senescence because they do not have telomerase to maintain telomere length, leading to critical telomere loss.

p.3
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What is the effect of combining carcinogens on immortal cells?

Combining two carcinogens can lead to cancer if the cell is already immortal, as H-ras can transform the cell into a malignant one.

p.11
Mechanisms of Telomerase Activation

What are the main mechanisms of hTERT activation?

The main mechanisms include mutations in the hTERT promoter, alterations in alternative splicing of hTERT pre-mRNA, hTERT amplification, epigenetic changes, and/or disruption of telomere position effect (TPE) machinery.

p.6
Telomeres and Telomerase

What is the primary function of telomerase?

Telomerase maintains structures (telomeres) at the ends of chromosomes through the synthesis of characteristic telomeric (TTAGGG) sequences.

p.2
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What is the relationship between carcinogens and malignant phenotype?

Further treatment of immortalized cells with additional carcinogens can produce cells with a malignant phenotype.

p.9
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

How is hTERT regulated in normal cells?

hTERT is regulated in normal cells through mechanisms that keep the telomerase gene silenced.

p.7
Telomeres and Telomerase

What is the status of the telomerase gene in normal cells?

The telomerase gene is present in all cells, but its activity is silenced or switched off in normal cells.

p.14
Telomerase as a Therapeutic Target

Why is telomerase considered a therapeutic target in cancer treatment?

Telomerase is dysregulated in virtually all cancers and is essential for the continued proliferation and clonal evolution of cancer cells.

p.5
Telomeres and Telomerase

How many base pairs do chromosomes lose with each cell division?

Chromosomes lose about 200 base pairs with each cell division.

p.2
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What is the second step in producing malignancy in cells?

The second step involves treating the immortal cells with another carcinogen to produce malignancy.

p.10
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

What transcription factors downregulate hTERT transcription?

Transcription factors such as P53, MAD, WT1, MZF-2, SIP1, and menin downregulate hTERT transcription.

p.3
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What is the significance of mutations in the context of transformation?

For transformation to occur, there can be no more than one mutation, as there are backup mechanisms like tumor suppressor genes that resist transformation.

p.8
Cell Senescence

Quels sont les rôles de l'époptose dans l'organisme ?

L'époptose aide à éliminer les cellules endommagées, à réguler le nombre de cellules et à prévenir le développement de tumeurs.

p.6
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

In which cells is telomerase expressed in the majority?

Telomerase is expressed in the majority of cancer cells.

p.4
Cell Senescence

What role does replicative senescence play in relation to tumors?

Replicative senescence may have evolved as a tumor suppressive mechanism.

p.4
Telomeres and Telomerase

What was discovered 20 years ago that is essential for understanding cancer cells?

The enzyme telomerase was discovered, which is present in cancer cells but not in normal cells.

p.10
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

What does the highly GC-rich region of the hTERT promoter suggest?

It constitutes a CpG island, suggesting epigenetic silencing of hTERT transcription in normal cells.

p.12
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

Do cancer stem cells express hTERT?

Yes, cancer stem cells also express hTERT.

p.3
Replicative Lifespan of Normal Cells

What happens when the replicative potential of a cell is reached?

When the replicative potential is reached, the cell undergoes apoptosis if it cannot repair significant DNA damage.

p.7
Telomeres and Telomerase

What is the role of methylation in the regulation of telomerase activity?

Methylation of the promoter leads to the silencing of telomerase activity in normal cells.

p.6
Telomeres and Telomerase

Is telomerase present in normal human cells?

Telomerase is absent from the vast majority of normal human cells.

p.14
Telomerase as a Therapeutic Target

What is a potential concern regarding the use of telomerase inhibitors in cancer therapy?

The anti-cancer benefit may be outweighed by side-effects arising from stem cell inhibition in other tissues.

p.12
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

From where do most cancers arise according to recent evidence?

Most, if not all, cancers arise from stem cells that already have active hTERT.

p.8
Cell Senescence

Quelle est la différence entre l'époptose et la nécrose ?

L'époptose est un processus régulé et contrôlé, tandis que la nécrose est une mort cellulaire non programmée souvent causée par des blessures ou des infections.

p.1
Cell Senescence

What is cell senescence?

Cell senescence refers to the process where cells stop dividing and enter a state of permanent growth arrest.

p.1
Telomeres and Telomerase

What role does telomerase play in cell aging?

Telomerase is an enzyme that can extend the telomeres of chromosomes, potentially delaying the aging process of cells by allowing them to divide more times.

p.10
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

What is the structure of the hTERT coding region?

The hTERT coding region contains 16 exons and 15 introns and spans 37kb of the genome.

p.9
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

Why is telomerase not expressed in most normal cells?

Telomerase is not expressed in most normal cells, which is why it is active in most cancer cells.

p.6
Mechanisms of Telomerase Activation

How is the telomerase gene activated in cancer cells?

De-repression of the telomerase gene in cancer cells is activated at the level of transcription.

p.4
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What are the steps involved in the transformation from immortal to malignant?

First, cells must be immortal; second, another carcinogen causes the change from proto-oncogene to oncogene.

p.12
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

In which types of tissues are low levels of telomerase activity present?

Low levels of telomerase activity are present in proliferative cells of self-renewing tissues such as bone marrow, trachea and bronchi, skin (basal layer), and gut (base of crypt).

p.3
Replicative Lifespan of Normal Cells

Why are human cells resistant to immortalization by carcinogens?

Human cells are refractory to immortalization by carcinogen treatment due to very effective DNA repair and apoptosis mechanisms.

p.12
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

What are some mechanisms that lead to the activation of hTERT in cancer?

Telomerase activity can arise from mutational or epigenetic disruption of normal repressor genes, alterations in alternative splicing of hTERT pre-mRNA, or hTERT amplification.

p.9
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

What happens to the telomerase gene in cancer cells?

In cancer cells, the silenced telomerase gene is reactivated, leading to telomerase activity.

p.12
Telomerase in Cancer Cells

What is the relationship between cancer stem cells and proliferative capacity?

Cancer stem cells have limited proliferative capacity, which prevents uncontrollable amounts of cells from forming.

p.3
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What is the role of H-ras in malignant transformation?

H-ras can only induce malignant transformation in cells that are already immortalized.

p.3
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What happens when normal rodent cells are transfected with H-ras?

Transfection of normal rodent cells with H-ras induces premature senescence rather than malignancy.

p.10
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

How do histone deacetylase inhibitors affect hTERT in normal cells?

Histone deacetylase inhibitors activate hTERT in normal cells.

p.10
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

What effect does methylation of the hTERT promoter have?

Methylation of the promoter silences hTERT transcription.

p.3
Oncogenes and Malignant Transformation

What is required for the transformation of rodent fibroblasts?

Rodent fibroblasts can be transformed by co-transfection with different oncogenes such as ras and myc, indicating that combinations of oncogenes are needed for immortalization and malignant transformation.

p.10
Transcriptional Regulation of hTERT

What is the role of transcription activation and inhibition in relation to telomerase?

Activation of transcription of telomerase promotes cell division, while inhibition affects the immortality of cells, acting as a tumor suppressor gene.

Study Smarter, Not Harder
Study Smarter, Not Harder